Miss GEICO News 2019
COCOA BEACH: MISS GEICO WINS
Class One racing capped the Thunder in Cocoa Beach action as the OPA/P1 competition pitted the big offshore boats against each other. Nearly all of these boats were powered by identical 1,100 QC4 turbocharged engines from Mercury Racing.
The #222 Offshore boat from Australia (with driver Darren Nicholson and throttleman Giovanni Carpitella) took an early lead, but were soon passed by the #3 Victory team from Dubai (driver Salem Al Adidi and throttleman Eisa Al Ali). They themselves were passed by driver James Sheppard and throttleman Steve Curtis, piloting their famous Miss Geico Racing entry, which took the checkered flag and made short work of of #77 Lucas Oil as well. Meanwhile, #91 Zabo exited the race with a mechanical issue.
Driver Edward Smith and throttleman Anthony Smith of #20 Instigator ran uncontested in Vee Extreme class.
The #222 Offshore boat from Australia (with driver Darren Nicholson and throttleman Giovanni Carpitella) took an early lead, but were soon passed by the #3 Victory team from Dubai (driver Salem Al Adidi and throttleman Eisa Al Ali). They themselves were passed by driver James Sheppard and throttleman Steve Curtis, piloting their famous Miss Geico Racing entry, which took the checkered flag and made short work of of #77 Lucas Oil as well. Meanwhile, #91 Zabo exited the race with a mechanical issue.
Driver Edward Smith and throttleman Anthony Smith of #20 Instigator ran uncontested in Vee Extreme class.
Powerboat champion Miss Geico will compete at Thunder on Cocoa Beach
MISS GEICO TEAM
9:01 p.m. EDT May 14, 2019
Miss GEICO Joins Fort Lauderdale Air Show
Miss GEICO Joins Performer Lineup
At 2019 Fort Lauderdale Air Show
Will Be Showcased Before Friday’s Florida Panthers Game
FORT LAUDERDALE (March 7, 2019) – The 2019 Fort Lauderdale Air Show, scheduled for May 4-5 over Fort Lauderdale Beach, has added a water component courtesy of the Miss GEICO Offshore Race Team.
Miss GEICO, which has won multiple world championships, will race the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team on both show days, while also making a single pass at more than 150 mph.
“We’re excited to include a water component in this year’s show,” said Bryan Lilley, President of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show. “Fans will definitely enjoy watching this amazing powerboat.”
To promote the Fort Lauderdale Air Show performance, Miss GEICO will be on display at the BB&T Center in Sunrise this Friday prior to the Minnesota Wild-Florida Panthers hockey game.
“We’ve been doing air shows with the GEICO Skytypers since 2011, but have never had the opportunity to perform at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show,” said Scott Colton, Managing Member of the Miss GEICO team. “Since we’re based in Riviera Beach, this really is a perfect partnership.”
The Fort Lauderdale Air Show will mark the debut of a new paint scheme for Miss GEICO.
“We are coming out with a new look,” said Colton. “We think the fans will love it. It’s going to be sleeker and quite electric looking.”
The Fort Lauderdale Air Show will feature one of the U.S. military’s elite jet demonstration teams – the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. It will be the first time in more than 12 years that the Blue Angels have performed in South Florida. Joining the Blue Angels as a co-headliner will be the F-22 Raptor Demo Team.
Tickets are on sale now for the show via http://fortlauderdaleairshow.com/. Sponsorship opportunities and corporate hospitality packages are also currently available and volunteer registration is open. Fans can follow the show on Facebook and see the latest performer updates.
Thunder on Cocoa Beach
11th Annual Great Lakes Grand Prix
Getting the Bike Back Together | American Shopper
Miss GEICO: Macro And Micro
In a little more than two months, the six-race 2019 American Power Boat Association Championship Series—the product of a collaboration between the Offshore Powerboat Association and the Powerboat P1 organization—kicks off May 17-19 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. Among the teams gearing up for the season is Miss GEICO, which has ordered new and reportedly ECM-tamperproof Mercury Racing 1100 Comp engines to run in what, for now at least, can be called the series’ 1100 Class. According to Miss GEICO team manager Gary Stray, the Riviera Beach, Fla., outfit will receive its turbocharged 1,100-hp engines in March and install them in their 44-foot Victory Team-built catamaran.
From repowering with Mercury Racing 1100 Comp engines to building a scale model for a Smithsonian Institution exhibition, the Miss GEICO team is heading into the 2019 offshore racing season at full speed. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
“We will be making a couple of changes for the lower-power engines,” he said. “We are replacing our surface drives with a new set—that’s the biggest change people will notice—and making some hull modifications. The rest probably will not be visible to the untrained eye but one change definitely will be. We are going with a new color scheme on the boat as well this year, still sporting the yellow but it will look a little different.”
Said Stray, “There are no 1/17 scale models of 1650 engines, so we had to build them.
Scott Gillman, the chief executive officer of the Victory Team, has confirmed that the Dubai-based offshore racing outfit will field one boat powered by Mercury Racing 1100 Comp engines. Several other teams from outside the United States—including Australia-based 222 Offshore, Abu Dhabi and Zabo Racing, which originally was based in Norway and competed in the 2018 Super Boat International Offshore World Championships—also reportedly will install Mercury Racing 1100 Comp power. But Miss GEICO is the only U.S. based team that has officially announced a commitment to the new spec engine program.
From repowering with Mercury Racing 1100 Comp engines to building a scale model for a Smithsonian Institution exhibition, the Miss GEICO team is heading into the 2019 offshore racing season at full speed. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
“We will be making a couple of changes for the lower-power engines,” he said. “We are replacing our surface drives with a new set—that’s the biggest change people will notice—and making some hull modifications. The rest probably will not be visible to the untrained eye but one change definitely will be. We are going with a new color scheme on the boat as well this year, still sporting the yellow but it will look a little different.”
Said Stray, “There are no 1/17 scale models of 1650 engines, so we had to build them.
Scott Gillman, the chief executive officer of the Victory Team, has confirmed that the Dubai-based offshore racing outfit will field one boat powered by Mercury Racing 1100 Comp engines. Several other teams from outside the United States—including Australia-based 222 Offshore, Abu Dhabi and Zabo Racing, which originally was based in Norway and competed in the 2018 Super Boat International Offshore World Championships—also reportedly will install Mercury Racing 1100 Comp power. But Miss GEICO is the only U.S. based team that has officially announced a commitment to the new spec engine program.
Miss GEICO Racing Announces 2018 Schedule
RIVIERA BEACH, Fla., May 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten-time world champion powerboat racing team Miss GEICO will kick off the 2018 racing season during the Ninth Annual Cocoa Beach Space Coast Superboat Grand Prix May 18-20.
Miss GEICO competes in the 2017 OPA World Championship Races in Englewood, FL. The team won this race, earning their 10th world championship title.
The 47' Miss GEICO Victory Catamaran races against the WWII-era aircraft of the GEICO Skytypers during an air show in 2017.
The Miss GEICO Team captured their most recent world championship titles at the end of the 2017 racing season when they dominated the world championship races in Key West and Englewood, FL. The Miss GEICO boat ran its best races to date during these two competitions. "We're all about winning any time we're on the water; but we especially want to continue the momentum established late in the 2017 schedule," said team Marketing Director Gary Goodell. "And, of course, the ultimate goal is to complete the upcoming season with our 11th world championship title."
Additional locations on the racing circuit include stops in Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Ocean City, MD, Sarasota, FL, Michigan City, IN, Fall River, MA, the SBI national championship in Clearwater, FL, and the OPA world championships in Englewood, FL.
The Miss GEICO team's 2018 approach includes an engine and race program with an emphasis on consistency and reliability instead of wringing more and more power out of the boat's twin engines. The team will start the season with four identical engines; two installed in the boat for racing and two as back up options.
On the water, Miss GEICO is under the control of driver James Sheppard and throttleman Steve Curtis. They earned their first world title championships with the team in 2017, but collectively have earned numerous international, national and world championship titles through racing experiences with other organizations.
The 47-foot-long Miss GEICO Victory catamaran is made of carbon, Kevlar and S-glass for high performance. The boat sports a pair of 1650 RACE Sterndrive twin turbo engines producing 3,000 horsepower and top speeds of 200 mph.
For more information on the Miss GEICO Racing Team, visit http://www.missgeicoracing.com.
2018 Race Schedue
Cocoa Beach, FL
May 18-20
9th ANNUAL COCOA BEACH SPACE COAST SUPERBOAT GRAND PRIX (SBI)
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
June 1-3
LAKE RACE (OPA)
Ocean City, MD
June 23-24
OCEAN CITY GRAND PRIX (OPA)
Sarasota, FL
June 29-July 1
34th ANNUAL SARASOTA POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX FESTIVAL
Michigan City, IN
August 3-5
10th ANNUAL SUPER BOAT GREAT LAKES GRAND PRIX (SBI)
Fall River, MA
August 24-26
FALL RIVER GRAND PRIX (OPA)
Clearwater, FL
Sept 28-30
20th Annual Clearwater SUPER BOAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (SBI)
Englewood, FL
Nov 15-18
ENGLEWOOD BEACH WATERFEST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (OPA)
The Miss GEICO team primarily races in the SBI (Super Boat International) and OPA (Offshore Powerboat Association) racing series.
In addition to competing in races, the Miss GEICO team participates in approximately 24 national boat shows, five Powerboat P1 races, 10 AquaX jet ski races, and three air-sea duels where the 47' watercraft races against the solo aircraft from the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team. These air show appearances will take place during the Ocean City Air Show June 16-17, the Atlantic City Air Show August 22, and the Baltimore Air Show October 6-7. The race between the Miss GEICO race boat and the WWII-era aircraft of the GEICO Skytypers is truly a battle of precision and skill as winds, waves, and atmospheric conditions greatly affect performance for both teams.
The team also participates in numerous charitable events through United We Race, Inc., the team's 501(c)(3) charity. The organization distributes 100 percent of the proceeds to United States Veterans programs.
For more information on the Miss GEICO Racing Team, visit http://www.missgeicoracing.com.
Media Contact: Brenda Little
194864@email4pr.com
(813) 391-4542
Miss GEICO competes in the 2017 OPA World Championship Races in Englewood, FL. The team won this race, earning their 10th world championship title.
The 47' Miss GEICO Victory Catamaran races against the WWII-era aircraft of the GEICO Skytypers during an air show in 2017.
The Miss GEICO Team captured their most recent world championship titles at the end of the 2017 racing season when they dominated the world championship races in Key West and Englewood, FL. The Miss GEICO boat ran its best races to date during these two competitions. "We're all about winning any time we're on the water; but we especially want to continue the momentum established late in the 2017 schedule," said team Marketing Director Gary Goodell. "And, of course, the ultimate goal is to complete the upcoming season with our 11th world championship title."
Additional locations on the racing circuit include stops in Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Ocean City, MD, Sarasota, FL, Michigan City, IN, Fall River, MA, the SBI national championship in Clearwater, FL, and the OPA world championships in Englewood, FL.
The Miss GEICO team's 2018 approach includes an engine and race program with an emphasis on consistency and reliability instead of wringing more and more power out of the boat's twin engines. The team will start the season with four identical engines; two installed in the boat for racing and two as back up options.
On the water, Miss GEICO is under the control of driver James Sheppard and throttleman Steve Curtis. They earned their first world title championships with the team in 2017, but collectively have earned numerous international, national and world championship titles through racing experiences with other organizations.
The 47-foot-long Miss GEICO Victory catamaran is made of carbon, Kevlar and S-glass for high performance. The boat sports a pair of 1650 RACE Sterndrive twin turbo engines producing 3,000 horsepower and top speeds of 200 mph.
For more information on the Miss GEICO Racing Team, visit http://www.missgeicoracing.com.
2018 Race Schedue
Cocoa Beach, FL
May 18-20
9th ANNUAL COCOA BEACH SPACE COAST SUPERBOAT GRAND PRIX (SBI)
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
June 1-3
LAKE RACE (OPA)
Ocean City, MD
June 23-24
OCEAN CITY GRAND PRIX (OPA)
Sarasota, FL
June 29-July 1
34th ANNUAL SARASOTA POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX FESTIVAL
Michigan City, IN
August 3-5
10th ANNUAL SUPER BOAT GREAT LAKES GRAND PRIX (SBI)
Fall River, MA
August 24-26
FALL RIVER GRAND PRIX (OPA)
Clearwater, FL
Sept 28-30
20th Annual Clearwater SUPER BOAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (SBI)
Englewood, FL
Nov 15-18
ENGLEWOOD BEACH WATERFEST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (OPA)
In addition to competing in races, the Miss GEICO team participates in approximately 24 national boat shows, five Powerboat P1 races, 10 AquaX jet ski races, and three air-sea duels where the 47' watercraft races against the solo aircraft from the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team. These air show appearances will take place during the Ocean City Air Show June 16-17, the Atlantic City Air Show August 22, and the Baltimore Air Show October 6-7. The race between the Miss GEICO race boat and the WWII-era aircraft of the GEICO Skytypers is truly a battle of precision and skill as winds, waves, and atmospheric conditions greatly affect performance for both teams.
The team also participates in numerous charitable events through United We Race, Inc., the team's 501(c)(3) charity. The organization distributes 100 percent of the proceeds to United States Veterans programs.
For more information on the Miss GEICO Racing Team, visit http://www.missgeicoracing.com.
Media Contact: Brenda Little
194864@email4pr.com
(813) 391-4542
Makes Season Debut in
9th Annual Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix
COCOA BEACH, FL (May 2017) - Ten-time world championship powerboat racing team Miss GEICO will compete in the Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix May 18-20. The racing event includes a High Octane Kickoff Party featuring the Miss GEICO race boat on Thursday evening, the Thunder on the Beach downtown Block party on Friday night, race boat testing on Saturday afternoon, and races on Sunday along Cocoa Beach.
Miss GEICO won the SBI World Championships in November and as the defending champion is looking forward to continuing its winning momentum at the first race of the season. Miss GEICO last raced in Cocoa Beach in 2016 and the entire team enjoys the race fans and race conditions in Cocoa Beach.
“We’re all about winning any time we’re on the water; but we especially want to do well at the first race of the season. Our ultimate goal is to complete the season with our eleventh world championship title.”
The Miss GEICO team’s 2018 approach includes an engine and race program with an emphasis on consistency and reliability instead of wringing more and more power out of the boat’s twin engines. Crew Chief, Gary Stray, states the Miss GEICO season will start with four identical race engines, two on the boat and two as backups. “We want to start the season out strong and in testing our engines are running well.”
On the water, Miss GEICO is under the control of driver, James Sheppard, and throttleman, Steve Curtis, who are still euphoric over last season. In 2018 Sheppard and Curtis look forward to racing and accumulating points towards another National Championship while preparing and hoping to peak for the World Championships. “Competition from all over the world will be tough and Miss GEICO looks forward to the challenge,” said Curtis.
Miss GEICO won the SBI World Championships in November and as the defending champion is looking forward to continuing its winning momentum at the first race of the season. Miss GEICO last raced in Cocoa Beach in 2016 and the entire team enjoys the race fans and race conditions in Cocoa Beach.
“We’re all about winning any time we’re on the water; but we especially want to do well at the first race of the season. Our ultimate goal is to complete the season with our eleventh world championship title.”
The Miss GEICO team’s 2018 approach includes an engine and race program with an emphasis on consistency and reliability instead of wringing more and more power out of the boat’s twin engines. Crew Chief, Gary Stray, states the Miss GEICO season will start with four identical race engines, two on the boat and two as backups. “We want to start the season out strong and in testing our engines are running well.”
On the water, Miss GEICO is under the control of driver, James Sheppard, and throttleman, Steve Curtis, who are still euphoric over last season. In 2018 Sheppard and Curtis look forward to racing and accumulating points towards another National Championship while preparing and hoping to peak for the World Championships. “Competition from all over the world will be tough and Miss GEICO looks forward to the challenge,” said Curtis.
GEICO TO CONTINUE ITS PRESENCE ON THE WATER IN 2018
GEICO seeks to pursue multiple titles on the race waters this year when the 2018 season series begins in April. Along with its world renowned and defending World Champion Miss GEICO racing team, GEICO will again be sponsoring both the GEICO P1 SuperStock race boat and an AquaX racer in 2018.
The Miss GEICO Offshore Race Team begins its defence of their Unlimited World Title in Cocoa Beach, FL on May 18-20. Miss GEICO will also be participating in several National Air Shows this year with the GEICO Skytypers before concluding its race season at the Englewood World Championships on November 15-18.
Miss GEICO Throttleman, Steve Curtis, is anxious to start the racing season. “We had a tremendous season last year and we look forward to maintaining our momentum throughout the 2018 racing season. Everyone will be looking to defeat us this year and we plan on being ready for the challenge.”
The GEICO-branded P1 Panther race boat will be driven this year again by Brian Maine and co-piloted with Tony Knight. Last season Brian made the switch from road racing to boat racing and with that successful season under his belt he is ready for 2018. The GEICO P-1 race boat will make its first appearance at historic Miami Marine Stadium April 20-21.
Brian and Tony are looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the P1 Panther. “We attended the Miami Boat Show at Marine Stadium in February and we were already getting excited about having to perform consistently against all the impressive competing teams.”
Seasoned GEICO rider, Jason Russo, will also take to the water at Miami Marine Stadium to fly the flag for GEICO in the P1 AquaX Pro Enduro Championship Race Series.
Russo added, “The Miss GEICO race boat is iconic in offshore powerboat racing and I am thrilled once again to be part of the GEICO team for the 2018 season.”
The Miss GEICO offshore race boat will also be on display at Miami Marine Stadium to help kick off the USA Superstock and AquaX races.
All three GEICO race teams will be together and participating in the Sarasota, FL Suncoast Charities Powerboat Extravaganza June 29-July 1. The Sarasota race allows the GEICO teams to assist and cheer on their teammates at one of the premiere race sites in the country.
“We are delighted to welcome GEICO Racing to our two race series and for P1 USA to become part of the company’s marine motorsport marketing platform,” said P1 USA director Azam Rangoonwala. “I’m very excited about the prospect of seeing the whole GEICO fleet compete in the Sarasota Powerboat Extravaganza again this year.”
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 16 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 27 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
Using GEICO’s online service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through GEICO Mobile, reach a representative over the phone or visit a GEICO local agent.
GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
For more information, go to www.geico.com.
The Miss GEICO Offshore Race Team begins its defence of their Unlimited World Title in Cocoa Beach, FL on May 18-20. Miss GEICO will also be participating in several National Air Shows this year with the GEICO Skytypers before concluding its race season at the Englewood World Championships on November 15-18.
Miss GEICO Throttleman, Steve Curtis, is anxious to start the racing season. “We had a tremendous season last year and we look forward to maintaining our momentum throughout the 2018 racing season. Everyone will be looking to defeat us this year and we plan on being ready for the challenge.”
The GEICO-branded P1 Panther race boat will be driven this year again by Brian Maine and co-piloted with Tony Knight. Last season Brian made the switch from road racing to boat racing and with that successful season under his belt he is ready for 2018. The GEICO P-1 race boat will make its first appearance at historic Miami Marine Stadium April 20-21.
Brian and Tony are looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the P1 Panther. “We attended the Miami Boat Show at Marine Stadium in February and we were already getting excited about having to perform consistently against all the impressive competing teams.”
Seasoned GEICO rider, Jason Russo, will also take to the water at Miami Marine Stadium to fly the flag for GEICO in the P1 AquaX Pro Enduro Championship Race Series.
Russo added, “The Miss GEICO race boat is iconic in offshore powerboat racing and I am thrilled once again to be part of the GEICO team for the 2018 season.”
The Miss GEICO offshore race boat will also be on display at Miami Marine Stadium to help kick off the USA Superstock and AquaX races.
All three GEICO race teams will be together and participating in the Sarasota, FL Suncoast Charities Powerboat Extravaganza June 29-July 1. The Sarasota race allows the GEICO teams to assist and cheer on their teammates at one of the premiere race sites in the country.
“We are delighted to welcome GEICO Racing to our two race series and for P1 USA to become part of the company’s marine motorsport marketing platform,” said P1 USA director Azam Rangoonwala. “I’m very excited about the prospect of seeing the whole GEICO fleet compete in the Sarasota Powerboat Extravaganza again this year.”
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 16 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 27 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
Using GEICO’s online service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through GEICO Mobile, reach a representative over the phone or visit a GEICO local agent.
GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
For more information, go to www.geico.com.
SBI Releases Updated NBC Sports Schedule and Changes for 2018
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Miss Geico Racing
7555 Garden Rd. Bldg. A
Riviera Beach, FL. 33404
Office: (561) 963-3438
Fax: (561) 963-3538